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If you have ever undergone eye surgery, a trained ophthalmologist has done the work. Ophthalmology focuses on treating diseases and conditions that affect the anatomy and physiology of the eye. What this means is that an ophthalmologist takes care of both surgical procedures and medical care for the eye. They are specialists in dealing with multiple eye diseases and conditions.

Ophthalmology Training and Education

Becoming an ophthalmologist requires a medical degree and completing residency like other branches of medicine. Some ophthalmologists can undergo additional training if they choose and focus on a specialty within the field.

Ophthalmology training covers the entire spectrum of eye care. Ophthalmologists are trained to do thorough eye exams to prescribe glasses or contact lenses, offer medical treatment for assorted eye problems, and do complex and delicate eye surgeries for qualified candidates. They also take an active role in conducting scientific research on eye diseases and other serious vision problems. Ophthalmologists work to uncover causes behind these things and find cures.

An ophthalmologist is a licensed medical doctor, so they are permitted to practice medicine and surgery. This is different from an optometrist who focuses on performing eye exams, prescribing corrective lenses, and prescribing medications for certain eye diseases. Often, optometrists and ophthalmologists will work together to provide complete eye care for a patient.

Ophthalmologist Sub-Specialties

The field of ophthalmology includes multiple sub-specialties where an ophthalmologist can focus on treating and curing specific types of eye problems. This can make it easier to address specific needs of eye patients.

These ophthalmology sub-specialties include:

Cornea and External Disease: Diagnosing and treating diseases related to the cornea, sclera and
eyelids are the primary focus of this specialty. Training within this
specialty includes doing corneal transplant surgery and other types of
corneal surgery.

Glaucoma: This specialty concentrates on medical and surgical treatment of
glaucoma and other age related vision disorders that can create optic
nerve damage through increased ocular pressure.

Neuro-ophthalmology: A nonsurgical specialty focused on diseases affecting the optic nerve
and visual pathways. It deals with the relationship between neurologic
and ophthalmic diseases and can be combined with eye and orbital
surgery.

Ophthalmic Pathology: An ophthalmic pathologist examines tissue samples culled from the eye
and adnexa in helping to diagnose eye diseases and vision problems.

Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery: With this specialty, the focus is on reconstructive surgery in facial
and orbital areas. It can include complex surgeries on eyelids, orbits,
certain facial bones, and the lacrimal system.

Vitreoretinal Diseases: Medical and surgical treatment of diseases affecting the retina and
vitreous are the focus of this specialty. These diseases can be genetic
and systemic in origin. A vitreoretinal ophthalmologist uses tools like
ultrasound fluorescein, angiography and electrophysiology to make a
diagnosis. From there, they treat vitreoretinal diseases through using
such procedures as laser therapy, cryotherapy, retinal detachment
surgery and vitrectomy.

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"Such a positive experience with his office! My first appointment was with Dr Reeve who was friendly and thorough with his exam. A year later Dr Woods performed my LASIK surgery and I have been thrilled with the results!! Their staff is super friendly and has really worked at getting my insurance to cover medications and making recommendations for where to get the lowest pharmacy fees!! I would recommend these doctors to anyone looking for ophthalmologists :)"

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"Reeve-Woods Eye Center is the best eye clinic I've ever been to. The staff is very personable and willing to help in any way they can. The doctors are wonderful and want to make sure you understand everything completely! Dr. Woods did my cataract surgeries and was absolutely awesome! I can't say enough good things about this eye clinic! If you want top rate care, this is where you'll go!!"

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